A contemporary short reimagines The Little Mermaid through a trans protagonist
This short film adapts the text The Little Mermaid: The True Story by Sebastián Beringheli into a modern screen piece crafted in Alicante. The central character is Sirena, portrayed by an actress who embodies a stubborn spirit and a journey of self acceptance. The production unfolds as a journey of rebirth, with the story focusing on insecurities and heartbreak transformed into resilience through transition. The performance by the lead actress, who also performs the dubbing work, is complemented by Lola Rodriguez, celebrated for her role in La Veneno. The project aims to deliver a double metaphor inspired by The Little Mermaid, emphasizing the tension between personal freedom and social acceptance.
Ana Milan intervened in the controversy surrounding the Little Mermaid adaptation
Following the announcement of Disney’s flesh and blood interpretation of The Little Mermaid, the creators Alejandra Tanez and Augusto Almoguera decided to move forward with their own visual interpretation. The team viewed the project as a chance to reinterpret a beloved childhood story for the present moment, offering a fresh perspective while staying true to the core themes. The concept centers on shaping a familiar tale to reflect contemporary experiences and sensibilities.
Work on the project began during the turbulent period of the global pandemic in 2020, with both pre production and post production tasks adapting to evolving conditions. The team faced uncertainty about whether filming would proceed, yet they secured the necessary momentum and completed the shoot successfully. The on location shoot took place at gardens in Alcoy, a setting chosen for its romantic and picturesque atmosphere that aligns with the film’s delicate mood. The cast includes Dunia Rodríguez, known for other television roles, who appears as the Sea Witch representing Sirena’s fears and insecurities, alongside influencers who appear as key characters to enrich the narrative arc.
Post production reached completion in May of the following year, and the project spent time in distribution with a regional distributor. It earned recognition at national and international festivals, including a production award and a prize for the best LGBT short film at a notable festival in 2021. The visual design and production elements contributed to an award that highlighted the short’s artistic impact.
Yo, Sirena stands as the second project from the Alicante director, following the 2016 short Halloween Night. The filmmaker reflects that the approach for Yo, Sirena diverges from the previous work. Halloween Night relied heavily on script and dialogue to drive the story, whereas Yo, Sirena places emphasis on imagery and visual aesthetics to guide the narrative development. This shift in focus underscores a deliberate creative choice to let visuals shape character and story in new ways.